Optelsommen c. 1892 - 1897

Willem Witsen made "Optelsommen" using ink on paper. These aren't typical fine art materials like oil paint or bronze. Instead, it's a simple combination, almost humble in its directness. The material itself—paper—is key to understanding the work. Its flat, absorbent surface allows for the stark contrast of the ink. You can almost feel the nib of the pen scratching across the page. The act of writing, or in this case, adding up numbers, is a process deeply embedded in social and economic structures. It speaks to accounting, labor, and the basic calculations that underpin our daily lives. The handwritten quality also adds a layer of intimacy. It’s easy to overlook something so straightforward, but by focusing on materials, process, and context, we can see this simple work as a quiet commentary on everyday existence. It blurs the lines between the mundane and the artistic, suggesting that even basic arithmetic can hold profound meaning.